Fabrication of superhydrophobic polylactide films with ultraviolet-shielding properties

Abstract

ZnO is a useful material with stable physical and chemical properties for introducing surface roughness and UV-blocking properties. However, to inhibit ZnO particles' photocatalytic degradation of peripheral organic materials, we conducted layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition with poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) and poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) to fabricate ZnO particles with an SiO2 shell with tetraethyl orthosilicate. Polylactide (PLA) films were prepared by compression molding and treated with a weak alkali solution for 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 h to induce hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. The LbL deposition of polyelectrolytes on the PLA film was performed to induce electrical interactions between the PLA films and ZnO composite particles. ZnO composite particles were deposited onto the surface of the PLA films with dip coating, and a stable superhydrophobic surface was developed after hexadecyl trimethoxysilane treatment via a reduction in the surface energy.